PITCAIRN'S ISLAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 93, 16 October 1852, Page 8

PITCAIRN'S ISLAND.

[Continued from our last.] And now, with theatrical suddenness, the old scene is shifted, and a new one presented to the eye, as much to its relief as when withdrawn from a gloomy Caravaggio, and suffered to rest ou a sunrise of Claude Lorraine. As if the original transgression bad at last been sufficiently expiated by this fe:>rful train of consequences ; as if the atonement had been purposely made ample and severe, that the sins of the fathers might not be visited upon the children, a new light is suffered to dawn upon their history, which from this time forward becomes as admirable for its peaceful and virtuous course, as it had hitherto been singular in almost uninterrupted succession of crime. The cause which led to this moral resolution is no less strange than the event itself. It has been already stated, that John Adams dreamed that the angel Gabriel came down from Heaven, to warn him of the error of his ways. This vision, which seems only to have waked him to a sense of his condition, was followed up by another, in which he was carried away to view the appointed place of punishment for evil doers. All this was depicted with such terrible distinctness, as to cause the dreamer from that moment to become a new man. He found a primer in the house of one of his dead companions, from which, and from the prayer book, he taught himself to read. So says his son, but the Alphabet, at least, he clearly must have known before. This knowledge once acquired for himself, he took the pains of imparting it to the new generation which was springing up around him. He gave himself up to study of the Bible, and made the children learn great part of our incomparable liturgy by rote. His whole remaining term of life was devoted, not to monastic idleness of contemplation, but to the active service of his Maker; by his own unassisted exertions effecting, a change, that bids fair to be as enduring as it was sudden and complete. One mistake into which he fell is worth recording, as an instance of the docility with which his lessons were received. Reading in the prayer book that Ash Wednesday and. Good Friday were to be kept as fasts, but not knowing the meaning of the prefix terms, he caused every Wednesday and Friday to be so observed, and that in the strict sense of the word. To this rule the whole population actually adhered for many years (although feeling such abstinence severely during the season of hard work), until the arrival of John Buffett, the first schoolmaster, who explained away the error, not a little to their satisfaction. I am not myself a believer in the direct interference of Providence on earth: I conceive the age of miracles to be past, and such interposition can he nothing less than a miracle, in any sustainable sense of the word ; but I willingly supply those who are of another way of thinking with as strong an instance as could well be adduced in support of their arguments. The first vessel by which the Pitcairn islanders were visited, was the Topaz, Mayhew Folger, master, from Boston, bound to China, in 1808. He took away with him a chronometer and compass belonging to the Bounty, and gave what information he was able, but very incorrectly, to Lieut. Maurice, at Valparaiso, for the purpose of being forwarded to the Admiralty. Whether the intelligence was received or not, I cannot say ; at all events no official notice was taken of it for five years. The chronometer is said to have have been taken from Folger by the Governor of Juan Fernandez. In 1814, arrived H. M. Ships " Briton and Tagus," Captains Pipon and Sir Thos. Staines. They were in search of the American frigate " Essex," (afterwards taken by the " Phosbe" frigate and '' Cherub" sloop of war, in Valparaiso roads), which had been committing great depredations among our whalers. Adams was much frightened, supposing that he should be taken off. He made no attempt at concealment, but presented himself to the captains, who re-assured him, observing that it would now be a cruelty to carry him away from his helpless family. He died, March 5, 1829, aged f>s, and was interred, as he had wished, not in the public burying ground, but within a few yards of his own house, where a wooden slab, faced with copper from the Bounty, points out the place of bis repose. In 1828, arrived the present teacher and layminister, George Nobbs : the present condition of the community is sufficient proof of his having worthily and efficiently discharged his trust.

They now seemed to have attracted the favourable attention of the Home Government, for in IS3O, H. M. Ship " Seringapatam," Hon. Captain Waldegrave, arrived, with a present of clothes, and agricultural tools; and in 1831, 11. M. Ship " Comet," Captain Sandilands, and the barque " Lucy Anne," of Sydney, dispatched for the purpose of removing the -whole body of inhabitants to Tahiti. There they remained but a few months ; terrified by the mortality which prevailed among themselves, and offended by the looseness of life which they were compelled to witness, they made the best of their way back again, sadly thinned in number, to the land of their birth, from which it proved a mistaken kindness to have disturbed them. Everything was now quietly settling down again into the old channel, when the quiet of the island was disturbed by the advent of an arch-impostor, who succeeded for a while in most effectually beguiling this simple minded people, and even in part-destroying the unanimity which had hitherto prevailed. This was a certain Joshua Hill, originally "a notary (an attorney, I suppose,) now an adventurer, who came from Tahiti in 1532, by the barque Maria. Gifted with a plausible address, he had contrived to quarter himself successively upon the British Consuls at the Sandwich Islands and at Tahiti, from both of whom he had received his conge; and now introduced himself at Pitcairn's as Lord Hill, averring that he had been appointed Governor by the Queen. Innocent as doves, the islanders shewed themselves by no means wise as serpents ; they gave credit to his pretensions, and called a meeting, at which he produced a document, requiring them to sign it, in acknowledgement of his authority. The three Englishmen resident upon the island had seen a little of the world, and were of course not so easily deluded. One of them, Evans, spoke up, and declined setting his name to anything until he should have been advised by the captain of a man-of-war. The consequence was, that the recusants fell under the ban of his Excellency's displeasure, who forthwith, having enlisted the majority of the islanders on his own side, organized a system of petty persecution. It is probable that the islanders were partially influenced by fear of risking offence to the British Government, for some misgivings as to the authenticity of Joshua's legation seem to have occasionally crossed their minds. Among other rhodomontades, he had represented himself as the intimate friend of a Lord James Townshend, commanding a Queen's ship which was shortly to arrive, and formally to invest him with the viceregal purple. The navy list was searched, but no Lord James was found in it. This was awkward for Joshua, but he still contrived to float himself over the difficulty, and to maintain his ground. Among other pranks, he attempted to convert his subjects from MotherChurch to Methodism, in hopes of exercising the joint authority of Mufti and Sultaun ; but there he had reckoned without his host, for in that matter they turned a deaf ear to his persuasions. He sent orders to the master of an English whaler, Stayers by name, bidding him take the three Englishmen from off the island, as " rebellious mutineers, and foreigners ;" to which the said Stayers returned a very disrespectful answer, and carried on Mr. Nobbs, who was wearied out, to Tahiti, at his own request, for the chance of falling in with a Queen's ship, whose commander might be appealed to. In this expectation the complainant was disappointed; after waiting there about three months, he returned in the Maria, for his family; was joined by the other two Europeans, with their families, and sailed for the Gambier islands, about 300 miles to the westward. There Nobbs and Evans remained as missionaries ; Buffett went on to Tahiti. In about nine months time they received a consolatory message from the Pitcairn people, who had now begun to find out their mistake, inviting them to return, backed by an offer of defraying all expenses. With this they complied, and Nobbs was reinstated in office. In 1837, arrived Her Majesty's Ship Actseon, commanded by Lord Edward Russell, who was very curious in his enquiries as touching this worthy. Oddly enough, the Duke of Bedford had likewise been one of Joshua's intimate friends. Lord Edward at once extinguished his pretensions, much to the relief of his dupes, expressing regret that he had not power to. take him off at j once. About eleven months afterwards, in the | same year, Captain Brace arrived in the lino-

gene, with orders to remove him, and carried away the Governor in disgrace to Valparaiso. Iv 1839, arrived Her Majesty's Ship Sparrow Hawk, Captain Shepherd, bound for Sydney, with General Freire, ex president of Chili, on board. He had been deposed in one of the innumerable South American revolutions, and had been put on board the Sparrow-hawk, in the extraordinary expectation that he would be carried as a convict to New South Wales. In 1840, arrived the London Missionary Packet Camden, bringing presents from the Governor of New South Wales, from the Bishop, and from the Rev. Dr. Ross. From this time forward thoir history is a blank, without an event more worthy of notice than the chance arrival of a Queen's ship—the surest proof of the time having been happily and virtuously passed, in a lull of those more violent passions by which stirring incidents are raised. What their future history will be, is hard to guess. That will depend upon the Home Authorities, in whose bands the direction of it must abide. They are already cramped for room, on an island chosen by their progenitors for its very insignificance ; and at the present rate of increase, migration must soon become compulsory. Their eyes are perfectly open to their situation; so strongly, indeed, are they impressed with the sense of it, that many of the maiden women have bound themselves by a sort of Malthusian compact, to refuse all offer of marriage, whilst the question of separating man from wife has from time to time been seriously mooted. Relief to the over charged soil must be afforded from home, by removal of the surplus; but to find a suitable location is not so easy a matter. Climate must be made to suit, for they are of tender constitution, though of powerful frame; and isolation from the rest of the world preserved. Unfortunately there is but one uninhabited island within any reasonable distance—Elizabeth, or Henderson's Island—about 120 miles to the N.E. A party of them paid it a visit some years ago in the whaling barque America, but were much disappointed with its appearance, rocky, and short of* water. It was not until long search that they discovered any at all, and that was a spring below high water mark. They planted some cocoa nuts, which they had brought for the purpose, and returned very disconsolate. Their present intention is to turn out their .live stock upon it, and by thus appropriating every acre upon their own island to the use of man alone, to keep back the evil day. For the accomplishment of this purpose, they are now putting by what little money is made by the refreshments to shipping, into a common purse, to be invested in the purchase of a schooner, from 15 to 20 tons burden.' The Queen of Huihine, one of the Society group, has offered them an extensive tract of land, to which the descendants of Puni, a Huihine girl, who married one of the Bounty men, have a family claim. This they declined to press, the land in that country being burthened with what in the early English history are called " benevolences,'' forced contributions to the chiefs on solemn occasions, unfixed in amount, for which they could not obtain a definite promise of being suffered to compound at the outset. Acceptance would, in point of fact, have been a complete sacrifice of independence. Consul General Miller, at the Sandwich Islands, has likewise made them a proposition, which was gratefully acknowledged, but declined as unsuitable, and as one moreover which would transfer them from British rule to that of another power. They themselves have cast a longing eye upon Juan Fernandez, seemingly forgetful that it appertains to the Chilian republic. Brodie suggested Norfolk Island, and certainly, if the penal settlement be abandoned, a more eligible location could be scarcely found. It rests with the British Government to decide whether they shall still form an entire community, as separate from the rest of the world in manners and customs as in race; or whether they shall be considered as a nucleus of civilization, throwing off periodical swarms to the adjacent islands. Neither scheme is without its own advantages; but the latter, less in consonance with their own inclinations, might be productive of benefit more widely diffused. Certainly the Home Government has now materials to work with ; small in quantity, but in quality such as it never possessed before, which it would be wickedly careless to cast away. The grain of mustard seed is sown, which may come in time to overshadowing ■ the wide Pacific.

To watch the expansion of any scheme of civil polity, if it be genuine and. of spontaneous growth, unvitiated by pseudo-philosophic reveries, or to trace the silent growth of laws, assuming by degrees a distinctive character in accordance with that of the race they have sprung up amongst, is seldom an incurious or profitless study. But in this instance there is little to learn, unless in being shewn with how little law a well-tempered society may be governed. As the history is without incident, because of their morality, so is the legislation without interest, because of their good sense. For they have laid down one rule for themselves, —a golden one ; never to make a latv till it be wanted ! Great would be the gain, could Colonial Constitu-tion-mongers, like Earl Sieves-Grey, be induced to take a lesson from these practicalminded islanders. Their code, —which, in these days of mushroom states and colonies, may be said to enjoy a very respectable antiquity,"—is consequently still of the most trivial character, relating chiefly to the rights of property, and the allotment of labour due to public works. Criminal law there is none as yet, for it is not as yet required. Time was, that I thought the hangman the corner-stone of society, and the hanginggardens of Babylon the neplus ultra of civilization ; but wisdom comes with years. I give the germs of their Jurisprudence, such as they are : they may serve at all events to raise a smile. CODE OF LAWS. The magistrate is to preside on all public occasions. He is to convene the public on occasions of complaint being made to him, and on hearing both sides of the case, submit it to a jury. He is to see all fines levied and all public works executed, and every one must treat him with respect. He is not to assume any power or authority upon his own responsibility, or without the consent of the majority of the people. A public journal shall be kept by the magistrate, and shall from time to time be read to the public, so that no one shall plead ignorance of the law for any crime they may commit. This journal shall be submitted to the inspection of those captains of British men of war which may occasionally touch at this island. No. 2. Laivs for Dogs. —lf any body's dog is found guilty of chasing wild goats, the owner of that dog shall pay a fine of one dollar and a half; one dollar to the owner of the goat or goats, and the other half to the informer. If a dog kills or otherwise injures a goat, the owner of the dog so offending, must pay the damages, but should suspicion rest on no particular dog, the owners of dogs generally must pay the damage. The foregoing law is of no effect when the goat is upon cultivated lands. Persons having fowls or hogs in the bush may take dogs to hunt them, but should the dogs commit damage during the hunt, the persons taking the dogs to hunt must pay the damage. No. 3. Laws for Cats. —lf any person under the age of ten years shall kill a cat, he shall receive corporal punishment. If any person between the age of ten and fifteen kill a cat, he or she shall pay a fine of twenty-five dollars ; half the fine to be given to the informer, the other half to the public. All masters of families convicted of killing a cat shall be fined fifty dollars ; half the fine to be given to the informer, and the other half to the public. N.B.—Every person from the age of fifteen and upwards, shall pay a fine similar to masters of families. No. 4. Laios for hogs. —lf a pig does any damage, the person who sustains the damage, may take the pig so trespassing, no matter whether he see the pig committing damage, or another person see the pig committing damage. If any person or persons see a pig or pigs committing damage, and neglects to inform the persons sustaining the damage, the person guilty of such neglect must pay the damage. No. 5. Laws relating to the School. —There must be a school kept, to which all pareuts shall be obliged to send their children, avlio must previously be able to repeat the alphabet, and be of the age of from six to sixteen years. Mr. Nobbs shall be placed at the head of the school, assisted by such persons as shall be named by the chief magistrate. The school shall be from 7 o'clock a.m. until noon, on all days excepting Saturdays and Sundays, casualties and sickness excepted. One shilling, or an equivalent as marked below, shall be paid for each child

per month by the parents, whether the child attend the school or not. In case Mr. Nobbs do not attend school, the assistant appointed by the chief magistrate shall receive the salary in proportion to the time Mr. Nobbs may be away. Equivalent for money. s. d. 1 Barrel of Yams, valued at... 8 0 1 Do. Sweet Potatoes, 8 0 1 Do. Irish Potatoes, 12 0 3 Good bunches of Plaintains, 4 0 One Day's Labour, 2 0 The chief magistrate is to see labour well performed, and goods which may be given for money shall be delivered either at the market place, or at the house of Mr. Nobbs, as he may direct. No. 6. Miscellaneous. —lf any person wants to cultivate any lands, he is to give notice of it to the public, and any person wanting any wood is to go on the aforesaid land, and get it! Any person that cuts more wood than is sufficient to build his house, after his house is finished, the wood that remains is to be given to the next person who may want it to build a house. This extends only to the Mero and Borow trees which may have been cut, and left above two weeks. Any person who may want any trees to break off their plantations or houses-, is to make it known, and no one is allowed to cut it down, providing it be on his own land. At any meeting which may take place, there shall be no bringing up things that are past to criminate others with a view to prevent justice with the case before the magistrate. Any one doing so, shall be punished by such a fine, as a jury may think proper to award. The magistrate is to appoint church-wardens, four in number, beginning on the first of every month. If any person be detected in shooting, or in any way killing white birds, (unless for the sick), shall for every bird that is killed, pay a dollar. No. 7. Laws for Wood. —lf any persons goes to cut logs, to enclose a piece of ground, or for any other purpose, he is not to cut any fit unbuilding a dwelling-house. The magistrate is to appoint four men to inspect the logs after they are brought home, and should any be found serviceable for building dwelling-houses, they are to be taken from him and given to the next person who builds a house. The third year a person commences cutting wood for his house, he is to build it, and the second year he is to pick a share of thatch uncovering dwelling-houses. If the wood is left longer than the time specified, it is to be taken from him, and given to the next person who builds a bouse. Any person cutting logs, must not cut green ones, until no more dry ones can he found. Any person without a pigstye and wanting one, is allowed to cut green logs to make it, if dry logs are not to be found. No one is allowed to cut down any trees for logs, on which there is young ones growing, which may become serviceable for house-build-ing in future. Any person having a large enclosure round his pig-stie cutting down any tree on which there is any good logs, is not allowed to take the logs, but he is to'leave it for the benefit of those who have no enclosure where the logs are to be found ; but if they do not cut it at the end of two weeks, any one may be allowed to cut it, and keep it for "such service as they please. No one may cut green logs to repair his large enclosure, save what he may find on trees which have been cut and left above two weeks. No. 8. Laivs respecting Land Marks. —On the first day of January after the magistrate is elected, he shall assemble all those who should be deemed necessary, and with them he is to visit all land marks that are upon the island, and replace those that are lost. Should any thing occur to prevent its accomplishment in the Time specified (viz., the first January), the magistrate is hound to see it done the first opportunity. No. 9. Laws for trading with Ships—No person or persons shall be allowed to buy or get spirits of any sort from ships, or sell it to strangers or any person or persons residing on the fslan<2 Any one found guilty of so doing shall

be punished by fine or such other punishment as a jury shall determine on. No intoxicating liquor whatever shall be allowed to be taken on shore, unless it be for medical purposes. Any person found guilty of transgressing this law, shall be punished by a jury. No female is allowed to go on board of a foreign vessel, of any size or description, without the permission of the magistrate ; and in case the magistrate does not go on board himself, he is to appoint four men to look after the females. No. 10. Law for the public Anvil. —Any person taking the public small anvil and public sledge hammer from the baeksmith's shop, is to take it back after having done with it, and in case the anvil and sledge hammer should get lost by their neglecting to take it back, they are to get another anvil and sledge hammer, and pay a fine of five shillings. These are all the laws which have been reduced to writing ; there are a few others, which have not yet been honoured by that formality, but which are not the less binding on that account. If a fowl be seen trespassing in a garden, the owner of the garden is permitted to shoot and keep it, while the fowl's master is obliged to return the charge of powder and shot expended in killing his bird. This is the law: but the practice is to send back the dead fowl, and to drop the claim for ammunition. If a pig be seen trespassing by an uninterested party, the witness is not allowed to mention the pig's misconduct to any one, before having reported it to the proprietor of the land. Squid is not allowed to be taken for food, from off the rocks on the Northern or fishing sid3 of the island, except by the owners of those rocks ; but any one may take it for bait. Carving upon trees is forbidden. It seems that the lads and maidens used to amuse themselves with carving true lovers knots, and other such devices upon the soft bark of the plantains; which was considered by the elders as a practice fraught with peril to young blood. The same thing was done in Ardennes ; only there it was not forbidden. " There is a man haunts the forest, that abuses our young plants with carving Rosalind on their barks; hangs odes upon the hawthorns, and elegies upon brambles ; all, forsooth, deifying the name of Rosalind. If I could meet that fancy-monger, I would give him some good counsel, for he seems to have the quotidian of love upon him." Perhaps the elders of Pitcairn's may be " a little too crabbed that way ;" but they .keep the safe side, at all events. (To be continued.)